Sweden's Migration Minister Johan Forssell has called for the European Union to roll back temporary protection for Ukrainian men of military age seeking shelter in Europe, while also urging the bloc to refuse visas to Russians coming for "shopping weekends and fancy trips." The proposals were presented at a meeting of EU ministers in Luxembourg on Thursday.
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the EU has activated a "temporary protection directive" that grants residency, work, and welfare rights to displaced Ukrainians. According to Eurostat, more than 4.33 million people who fled Ukraine currently receive protection under this scheme, with the largest numbers in Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic.
"It is essential for us to provide Ukrainians with protection, but at the same time the war needs to be fought and won," Forssell said. "For that to happen, it is essential that more men stay in Ukraine and fight." He emphasized that any restrictions should apply only to new arrivals seeking temporary protection, not to those already covered by the scheme. Any changes would require a proposal from the European Commission and approval by EU member states.
Restrictions on Russian Tourists
Meanwhile, a group of member states has demanded that the EU make it harder for Russians to holiday in Europe. The issue was raised in a letter by Poland, Norway, the Baltic states, and nine other Schengen area members at the Luxembourg meeting. Despite wartime restrictions, more than 470,000 tourist Schengen visas were issued to Russian citizens in 2025, many of them multi-entry, according to the letter.
"I want there to be no more shopping weekends. I want there to be no more fancy trips to Europe while Ukrainians are dying on the battlefield," Forssell said. "This situation is completely insane and it needs to be stopped." The member states wrote: "It has been deeply troubling to witness increasing numbers of Russian tourists enjoying leisure travel on European beaches and in European resorts while missiles and drones continue to strike civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine."
Zelenskyy Calls for Direct Talks with Putin
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for face-to-face negotiations in a public letter addressed directly to Vladimir Putin. "It is leaders who resolve the key issues. That has always been the case, and it always will be," he wrote. "I propose to set a clear date for such a meeting." Zelenskyy suggested Switzerland, Turkey, or Arab states as possible hosts.
US President Donald Trump responded by saying "we had a lot to do with it" and that both sides would need to agree to compromises that were his idea. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Putin had not seen the letter yet and repeated that Zelenskyy could come to Moscow if he wanted talks.
Putin, speaking at his drone-affected St Petersburg economic event on Thursday, said Trump had asked Russia to make some compromises for a Ukraine peace deal and Russia was ready to do so provided Ukraine did the same. He acknowledged damage from Ukrainian drone attacks, stating, "To our regret, some of them break through. Russia has an air defence system, we need to improve it, strengthen it, and we will do that." When asked whether the war had become a strategic disaster for Moscow, Putin falsely claimed that "Russian troops are advancing along the entire line of contact."
Military and Economic Developments
Russian-controlled Crimea tightened its rationing of fuel supplies on Thursday as Ukrainian attacks constricted supplies from adjoining Russian-controlled territory in south-east Ukraine. Ukraine's military said it struck a Russian gunpowder factory in the Ryazan region, causing a fire covering more than 400 square meters.
The US House of Representatives passed legislation that would aid Ukraine and sanction key segments of the Russian economy. The 226-195 vote, which included 18 Republicans, reflects impatience with Trump's approach of trying to appease and cajole Putin. The bill seeks to provide more than $1 billion in security and reconstruction aid and make another $8 billion available for Ukraine's defence through loans. Republican leaders objected, but supporters forced action by gathering 218 signatures on a discharge petition. The bill would also need Senate approval, which is unlikely without Trump's endorsement.
The Senate has been deliberating its own bill that would impose sweeping tariffs and secondary sanctions on countries purchasing Russia's oil, gas, uranium, and other exports. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told a Senate subcommittee on Wednesday that there would be news "pretty soon" on $400 million Congress has approved for Ukraine-related needs but which has been delayed at the defence department.
